Leo
Passage, Founder of Pivot Point

In 1958, Leo Passage immigrated to America from the Netherlands with his young wife, Lenie, and created a network of hairdressing education that is now taught in countries around the globe.

During his long career, Passage won more than 95 competitions and gained a reputation as an enterprising visionary. In 1961, he captured the coveted titles of World Supreme Champion and Hairdresser of the Year at the International Beauty Show in New York City.

Through his interest in the Bauhaus principles of art and design, Passage saw how that movement’s ideas could be applied to teach hairdressing. In 1962, he opened the first Pivot Point Beauty School at the corner of Howard and Clark streets on the north side of Chicago. It is there that he developed and refined the system of hairdressing that has become the gold standard in cosmetology education.

At a little more than 5’6”, Leo Passage was a giant in the industry who showed that solid education, a clear vision of goals and a passionate desire to be the best will make you a leader, not a follower. Today, his legacy lives on in all Pivot Point educators and graduates in the best salons, spas and companies around the world.